I did a blog post on the evolution of Asian Male Porn a while back that has become the most popular post ever on this blog. Obviously, based on the queries I receive, many of you folks out there have an interest in how the Asian man performs outside of medicine, kung fu, and being clowned on mainstream media. Yes, the timid receptionist you see at work everyday is sitting behind her desk and "googling" for an Asian male pornstar to see if he can light the back out of that poon.
Porn in the google age is something you can't ignore. To him, the Asian male struggle starts right here, right in front of your monitors when the lights go out at night. Recently I asked Rick Lee of Asian-man.com to do a guest post and he responded with this comment on the thread a couple days ago. I'm just reposting it here to make it visible to all the readers.
By Rick Lee of Asian-man.com
When I started all the Asian male performers in the adult industry were gay. And as an Asian man, I wanted to put up a site to provide something straight AMs could relate to. I did it more to make a point than for profit and the site gained traction from the very beginning. Now, 8 years later, there are other heterosexual AMs performing and although there aren't many of them. At least there are some and eventually there will be more as the door has now been open.
For many years AMs have been essentially emasculated in the media. But if we as a group break out of sexual stereotypes, it will better our social standing in society. I know porn might be an odd way to achieve this, but this is a front that people can't ignore.
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I remember when I first stumbled upon Rick Lee's site eight years ago. The website looked like something cobbled together by an amateur in a basement. It featured probably less than a handful of girls. It didn't look very hopeful at first but from these humble beginnings, Rick Lee became a successful pioneer in the field of Asian-American male gonzo straight porn.
To me, Rick Lee's model, combining Asian male empowerment activist idealism with profit-making entrepreneurship, is a compelling example of someone who didn't sit around whining about discrimination but took matters into his own hands and did something about it. Rick Lee's example also reveals the enormous flattening power of the web and the ability of technology to empower disenfranchised individuals.
Someone should write a damn book about Rick Lee.
"Now, 8 years later, there are other heterosexual AMs performing and although there aren't many of them. At least there are some and eventually there will be more as the door has now been open."
Who?
(Okay, this one word comment probably lost me a few fans...)
While we're on the topic of Asian-American men in porn, mention must be made of porn star Mika Tan.
Several years after Rick Lee's site got off the ground, the Asian-Man forum was a vibrant community with many members. At one point Mika Tan appeared in the forum, indicating her desire to recruit Asian guys for porn scenes. Since then, she was known for her advocacy on behalf of Asian men in the porn industry.
In 2006, she semi-retired from acting and started her own production house.
http://www.porngnome.com/porn-blog/06-05/00082.htm
Mika Tan Fights for America, Whores, and the Right to Film Sex with Asian Men
http://www.gramponante.com/2008/07/mika-tan-fights-for-america-whores-and.html
"I want to make porn for Asian-American men," she said, noting the absence of Asian-American males from the performing end of the adult business. "It is frustrating because none of the porn companies believe there is a large enough market to bankroll it for me.
"All of my boyfriends before porn were Asian," Tan said. "There are millions of Asians in this world and not seeing them in porn isn't because they don't know how to fuck. I speak from experience."
Mika Tan is a Righteous Asian Babe who deserves our attention and much respect.
Yeah I don't watch enough porn to know who Rick Lee's opened doors for. But it's nice to know Mika Tan, an AF porn star, is standing up for Asian bros. That whore deserves our respect!
Yes, that was a joke.
Anyway Kobukson, you bring up a very good point about Rick Lee "is a compelling example of someone who didn't sit around whining about discrimination but took matters into his own hands and did something about it."
This reminds me of Darrell Hamamoto, the UCD professor who produced an AA porno. He felt the exact same way. He was tired of being in the Ivory Tower and intellectually masturbating with other AA professors about the shitty AA image.
I remember when he introduced the concept of producing an AA porno at an Asian American Studies academic conference and other professors just scoffed at his idea and called him an attention whore.
Anyway, if Rick Lee wants someone to write a book about, then I'd do it.
I remember when he introduced the concept of producing an AA porno at an Asian American Studies academic conference and other professors just scoffed at his idea and called him an attention whore.
Great ideas will always encounter resistance from mediocre minds.
Anyway, if Rick Lee wants someone to write a book about, then I'd do it.
A caveat: I know Rick Lee has some privacy concerns; that's not even his real name, btw. But if the privacy thing is not a problem, then I think that's a great idea. Perhaps you can collaborate with Jaewhan of Bigwowo, because he's a budding writer in search of a story also.
I've always been curious about the background story to this. Who is Rick Lee? What's his background? How did he get the idea to do this? What were some of the challenges? What's involved in setting up and running a porn web site? Why did his enterprise succeed when so many Asian male porn sites that tried to duplicate it failed? Who are the girls on his site? How did he recruit them? What are they like in real life? Are there any interesting stories behind them as well? How did asian-man.com change Rick Lee's life?
In many ways also, the Rick Lee story touches upon familiar themes that are constantly brought up in the Asian-American activist space; the struggle with the media establishment. In the case of Mika Tan, even though she eventually formed her own production company and produced Asian male porn, she had difficulties finding willing distributors because they think the market won't buy it. This is the dilemma that keeps popping up over and over again, like a stubborn brick wall that continues to confound and frustrate even the best of Asian-American talent, ability, and the noblest of efforts. Rick Lee found an independent, alternative solution to this problem: direct distribution via the web and cutting out the middle-man and the gatekeepers. This was at a time when the YouTube phenomenon hadn't occurred yet. In a way, whether consciously or not, Lee redefined the meaning of success. Acceptance in the mainstream porn arena was not the goal, rather he went underground and controlled everything from production to distribution. This is a guerilla tactic. Asian man porn, by definition, is not mainstream. In doing so, Rick Lee's site also helped spawn an underground subculture, the cultivation of Asian male interracial sexuality and relationships.
Rick is also a case of an Asian-American dude who threw conventionality to the wind and did something that wasn't safe, normal, or practical. For those who settled for a mediocre existence as corporate wage slaves and the like, the Rick Lee example is an inspiration.
These are some of the themes that can be explored. The Asian-American community is starving for want of role models and hero's, people who broke through barriers even though society: no, that's not possible. All things considered, anything that deals with porn or sexuality is an enormous interest generator all by itself. Rick Lee's story needs to be told.
A caveat: I know Rick Lee has some privacy concerns; that's not even his real name, btw. But if the privacy thing is not a problem, then I think that's a great idea. Perhaps you can collaborate with Jaewhan of Bigwowo, because he's a budding writer in search of a story also.
I wouldn't have a problem keeping Rick's ID secret in the book. I don't know how much of a secret his ID will be once the book (if he's willing to do it) comes out.
Jaewhan is a far better writer than I am. I just don't know if he'd be willing to write about this subject matter. PUA's disgust him, so I don't think porno is going to be his thing. I don't mean to speak for you, BigWoWo, but what do you think?
Anyway, Kobukson, you seem to know a lot about Rick, so perhaps you should write the book? Doesn't he go into his background on his website forum? He doesn't say any specifics, but he gives you a general idea as to how he got started and how he operates.
I think that Rick Lee would have to reveal everything (short of ID) and agree to not just an interview, but a complete behind the scenes tour. Otherwise, there wouldn't be enough for a book.
One could start out writing an article on Rick Lee (interview him) and perhaps Rick's story could be part of a book exploring AM sexuality on the internet in general. So a chapter on Rick, perhaps a chapter on Mika, a chapter on Aznlover and other AM/XF sites, a chapter on PUA's, etc.
If I were to write it, then I'd take an objective look at each of these subcultures. Present the facts without making judgements and without romanticizing.
Anyhow, I'm just throwing ideas out and brainstorming. I don't even know if Rick would want a book or article on him.
I'm a little hungover right now guys. Will respond when it goes away. =)
Thanks for your kind words, James! I don't think I'm a better writer than you; we just have different styles!
You know me well. Writing about Rick Lee is not my cup of tea. So I'd say go for it! I also agree that there needs to be full disclosure, and that he should allow you to write about everything but his name. People want to know the truth! People demand to know! Haha...I wouldn't write this book, but I'd definitely buy it, read it, and support it, especially if you wrote it.
Believe it or not, I'm actually totally cool with porn--I think there's an honesty in porno production that lots of mainstream people shy away from. I don't know about the feminist issues--I've read both sides, pro and con--but for me, I'm totally cool with it.
(By the way, TMM, when are you going to change the pornstar on your sidebar? I think the current placeholder, Ms. Avena Lee, has been there for a really long time. Not that I have a problem with Ms. Lee. I definitely don't. :) )
@Rick -- If you're reading feel free to add to the thread.
This is a healthy discussion goin' on, guys.
kobukson,
I would agree that Rick Lee deserves due credit work his work underground. The fact that over a thousand aspiring pornstars are willing to participate in his project speaks volumes. The book idea sounds like it would make a fascinating read. Mika is a trooper.
James,
Can't believe you jokingly called Mika a "whore" =O On Hamamoto, I think Rick was invited to guest lecture one of his classes but can't find the article or post on it. Hamamoto is a gangster and a half. They can try telling a tenured AA professor he can't show porn in class to make a point. This guys is my kind of academic.
B,
I'd support it, read it, and buy it, and maybe even go as far as promote what I can if you and James were serious. I will change the pornstar on the sidebar as soon as possible. My bad. I'm getting sick of looking at it myself.
All,
What about Hung Lo? He's making waves as we speak -- in High Definition!
Yeah, Hung Lo would be good to interview as well. How about we start small with an article on AM/XF internet porn? That way Rick Lee and Hung Lo (and whoever else is out there) can be included. I'll post the article up, which serves as exposure for them. If there's more material, then maybe a book later on.
OK, first step is to get a response from Rick. Rick?
I sent him note. Not sure if he'll add to this thread, James.
I just found out that our superstar Mika Tan is now a new addition to the Bunny Ranch line.
Just to name some Asian Male pornstars there is.
Keni Styles and Hung Lo.
I haven't seen their movies but the Asian females in porns are extremely degrading.
The captions are worse
'My first Asian whore'
'She loves big white cock'
'Yellow slut' etc
Edwin,
Thanks for the two-yen on Keni Styles.
Here's the link for the rest of ya. It says he was in the British Army and the first Asian man to be mainstreamed in Western porn. Good deal.
http://www.britishboy.com/blog/uk-naked-men-keni-styles/
As for the captions, that's all post-production literature that the women performing know nothing about. So when they do a shoot, they get paid and showed the door. Many don't know what comes of the title and the captions.
Thanks for the kind words and then interest in the subject. As some of you might know, I am actually retired from performing and I've always tried to be as discreet as possible about my identity. However, I have spoken in public (When Dr Hamamoto had me as a guest speaker at UC Davis- and yes he is a gangster and a half!!-) and I have participated in an documentary as well. So I am all for speaking about the subject and perhaps a bit about myself and my background.
Someone wrote about why others have failed at duplicating the "asian-man.com" model and I have a comment on that. The biggest problem is that every single person who tried copying the concept ended up butchering the idea. By that I mean they present Asian men as orientals, exotic, fetish objects, etc. making it not much better for Asian males than what existed before.
The reason I succeeded in doing what I did was because I presented myself as ANY other man. The fact that I am Asian made me unique but the main theme was my ability to express my sexuality and my lifestyle NOT my Asian background or how Asian I am. I have always been a very sexual person and I felt the site was just an extension of my lifestyle. And that is why the stuff I did was able to resonate better with the public, Asian or not.
Currently, the only person whom I think is doing it right is Kenni Styles. You can tell he is Asian by looking at him but above all, he is a good performer and women enjoy the way he has sex with them. He doesn't need to speak Chinese, throw kicks, or constantly remind us how Asian he is to make the point.
The man himself has spoken.
All you, James and Kobukson.
I have a feeling though that in order to get a full feel of what Rick is saying with regards to orientalism and fetishizing, you guys are going to have to do a lot of research. (wink, wink)
Haha..."But honey, it's for my book!" :)
OK Rick, I'll get in touch with you soon by email.
I guess that's settled. Again, thanks for your contribution to the AM community, Rick. Good luck in your endeavors. But when you decide to retire from your day job, give us a holla so we can see what you look like. =)
I love the new porn star on your sidebar. I gotta say...that was unexpected...but he's most definitely representin'. :)
Ok, just went to the site, and I think it should say in order Pretty Asian girls, then whatever other races. It shouldn't list our Asian sisters as next to last and therefore second best. Just sayin. Can't view the site cause I'm at work, but I'll check it out soon enough. Hope it isn't all Jon Gosselin-y eg holding white chicks up on a pedestal and token Asian women as accessories.
I always wanted to turn a spoof into a topic, B.
Let us know what ye thinks, Alice.
Thanks again for the comments and the interest in the topic. Now on the issue of Asian women, there aren't just that many that are on the site. And is not that I don't like Asian women (I was just in relationship with a Korean girl), but the "pool" of models that I get are in mostly white women and hispanic. It is actually quite hard to get Asian women into this in America, pretty much for the same reasons as you don't get Asian men. In all the years that I did this, I only found one Korean girl for example that would do it (and I love Korean women). So the fact that most women are not Asian should not be taken as some sort of "worship" of other races or that I'm putting someone on any pedestal. The site is about sex as an Asian man in America not about sex with non-Asian women. Which actually is one huge difference between my site and all the other ones that came after as the others emphasized the latter.
I guess is easy to look at the site and apply one's own perception of society and give it a certain interpretation. I always found that interesting.
I concur with Rick. I've visited several times and I don't think there was ever an emphasis on putting any race of females on a pedestal. He was a journal of his sexual adventures with woman.
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